"An Extra-Strength Pain Reliever for Electrification" - Ideanomics CCO Macy Neshati

Ideanomics is taking the whole idea of vehicle fleet electrification and rolling it into one easy package. Auto Futures talked with Chief Commercial Officer, Macy Neshati. He explains how Ideanomics plans to take the pain out of deploying commercial electric vehicles across multiple verticals.

"Our goal is to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission vehicles throughout the commercial marketplace. So, we acquired a series of complimentary vehicle companies," says Neshati.

Ideanomics sends a team of experts to work with a customer and creates the complete turnkey solution from vehicle selection to charging methodology to financing.

'As-a-Service' Bundles

"We offer energy As-a-Service. We can take the whole investment, bundle it and lease it back to the user on a monthly basis. It can be based on miles driven, kilowatts-consumed or whatever method works best for the customer. We take a team approach and customize it to meet the fleet's needs," says Neshati.

The package includes incentives such as HVIP (Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project) in California, grants from the Federal Transit Administration and the Inflation Reduction Act.

He reported that typically fleet managers get called on by multiple companies for vehicles, telematics, charging and financing that may not all work smoothly and easily together.

Many Companies Under One Umbrella

Neshati talked about the EV companies Ideanomics owns. Energica makes long-range electric motorcycles. Treeletrik provides accessible electric motorbikes in Southeast Asia. The first agricultural electric tractors are available from Solectrac.

Recently, Ideanomics completed the acquisition of VIA Motors electric truck chassis platform for Class 2 to 5 trucks.

Since 1999, US Hybrid has been pioneering the evolution of hydrogen fuel cells for propulsion, energy generation and electric powertrain vehicles.

He described WAVE (Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification) wireless charging.

"WAVE can charge at a very high rate. We are now experimenting with over 1000 kilowatts in production products. Wave offers 250 or 500 kilowatts charging over a 12-inch air gap. The plate can be installed in the parking lot or depot for any electric vehicle type. It can wirelessly charge a snow plough. You can run heavy equipment over it. It is very durable," explains Neshati.

Ideanomics can also deliver a containerized mobile charging system that can be deployed on the property and moved when the company moves.

Plus, Ideanomics offers cloud-based software to help fleets manage vehicles with telematics.

From One Vehicle Up To Hundreds

He says there is no minimum number of vehicles for Ideanomics customers.

For example, US Hybrid, working with Toyota Tsusho America Inc., converted one formerly diesel-powered stacker drayage vehicle at the Port of Los Angeles to a hydrogen-powered vehicle.

"We are working with the Port of Los Angeles. We have already converted one of their large container stackers to hydrogen. It stacks the containers, takes them off the ships and puts them on trucks. They absolutely love it and the drivers love it. We know that we can convert these ports over to 100% clean energy vehicles," says Neshati, "They have asked for six to eight more which could lead to hundreds."

Ideanomics is not just buying companies but supporting and working with companies for other vehicle types. They are working with a sweeper company supplying kits to make electric and hydrogen street sweepers. He hinted at a deal to provide propulsion for a transit bus company.

Police forces can use Ideanomics' fast long-range motorcycles. Ideanomics can also supply electric fleet vehicles 'As-a-Service' is for last-mile delivery - VIA Motors can deliver trucks.

"We make it easy to make the change to electric by being a one-stop-shop. When we go in and set up a system. It is our responsibility to make it run right. We make maximum performance fast, easy and affordable," says Neshati.

For most fleet operators, the electrification journey has too many pain points with multiple suppliers. He likens Ideanomics to Over-the-Counter relief medications. "Ideanomics is an extra-strength pain reliever for electrification."